DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR? HOW THE BOARDROOM HOPEFULS SEE THEMSELVES...
Andrew Brady, 26, from Cheshire – a project engineer in the aerospace industry. Cites his coal miner granddad as an inspiration. Admits he can’t always hold his tongue which can get him into trouble. He says: “I don’t blow smoke up someone’s behind. If someone deserves credit, I will give them it.”
Charles Burns, 24, from Manchester – a management consultant Has fingers in many business pies, including a management consultancy, a watch trading company and a comparison website. Says as long as it is within the rules, he will stop at nothing to win. He says: “When life throws you lemons, make and sell lemonade for a healthy profit.”
Danny Grant, 32, from Kent – owns an online retail store. Says he is not “a doormat” and prides himself on being straightforward and honest. However he confesses he can sometimes rub people up the wrong way “because the truth is hard to hear”. He says: “I don’t get on with people with a stick up their a**e.”
Elliot Van Emden, 31, from London – a legal firm owner. Friends call him “Tory boy” as he used to work in David Cameron’s office before he became Prime Minister. Aims to band together with the stronger candidates, to secure his place in the final. He says: “Sometimes to get to the top, you have to grease the pole behind you.”
Harrison Jones, 27, from Watford – a sales executive. Started his own landscaping business aged 19 and is currently working on business ventures including property development, a healthy eating brand and a luxury streetwear brand. He says: “I have a good work ethic and am always willing to work to full capacity to achieve my goals.”
James White, 26, from Birmingham – a recruitment firm owner. Runs his own IT recruitment business and considers his drive to be his best quality – believes no-one has ambition like him. Used to have the nickname “Del Boy”, and enjoys white collar boxing. He says: “Intimidation is what motivates me. I want to be bigger and more successful than anyone else.”
Jeff Wan, 28, from London – a business analyst. A semi-pro hip-hop dancer. Has performed at O2 Arena. Hopes to build a legacy like Lord Sugar’s and has been a fan of The Apprentice since he was a teenager. He says: “I bring character, charm and swagger to the table. Coupled with my professional and educational experience, I am sure I will be able to separate myself from the rest.”
Ross Fretten, 29, from Essex – a digital product consultant. Does not have a role model, preferring to trust his own judgement and forge his own path rather than following in the footsteps of others. Plans to sit back and let people “dig their own graves” before burying them in the boardroom. He says: “I’m usually the smartest person in any room and I’ll make sure people know that.”
Sajan Shah, 24, from London – an event company owner. Alongside running his business supplying entertainment to events, Shah works at a health and safety consultancy as head of HR. He says candidates will use him as their role model after the series. He says: “I am like a Chinese dish – potent, deliciously driven, full of flavour and I sure do sizzle.”
Anisa Topan, 36 from Surrey – owns a PR fashion agency. Says she gets irritated if people are slow to grasp concepts. She says: “I’ve got everything Lord Sugar needs in a business partner. I’m passionate, dynamic and persistent – he’ll love that.”
Bushra Shaikh, 34, from Surrey – a clothing company owner. Shaikh creates luxury apparel for Muslim women. Inspired by Coco Chanel, she believes her skills and determination are all she needs to succeed. She says: “I’ve been raised not to be a pushover – in the words of Destiny’s Child, ‘I’m an independent woman’.”
Elizabeth McKenna, 39, from Nottinghamshire – owns a florist chain. Describes herself as a “slightly bonkers country girl” and has a love of dogs and horses. Thinks her killer business instincts mean she’s good at snap decisions. She says: “My big feet are good for two things; getting me into trouble as they’re as big as my mouth and I constantly get them stuck in it, but... they also kick butt.”
Jade English, 25, from Manchester – a PR and marketing manager. Thinks her greatest business skills are her creativity and passion. She says: “I’m extremely emotionally intelligent and able to get the best out of people. I am a brilliant negotiator and I’m not all talk – I put every weird idea into action and get results.”
Joanna Jarjue, 23, from Manchester – a digital marketing manager. She considers being determined and a great talker to be her best qualities. Hates being patronised, but insists she will remain resilient on the show. She says: “My demeanour can be related to the saying ‘Don’t wake a sleeping lion’ – if you underestimate me I might just bite.”
Michaela Wain, 33, from Bolton – a business owner in construction. Works on the day-to-day operations of a construction magazine, alongside her role at several other companies in the building sector. Says she despises men who talk down to her. She says: “I have no patience for people who say stupid stuff, and I can’t cope with lazy people.”
Sarah Jayne Clark, 25, from Derbyshire – a clothing company owner. Believes her loyalty is one of her best qualities. Thinks it’s vital to be strong-willed in business and says never letting her guard down will help her win. She says: “I am the definition of a girl boss – I get things done and make things happen.”
Sarah Lynn, 35, from London – confectionery company owner. Considers herself to be a “people person”. Doesn’t think she needs tactics to win The Apprentice and intends to just be herself. She says: “Women are like tea bags – you don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.”
Siobhan Smith, 34. from London – a wedding company owner. Owns and runs a wedding service company for couples in the UK who want to get married in Dubai. Her role model is Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, as “at the age of 65, he had knocked on over 1,000 doors over a period of two years trying to sell his recipe before getting his first yes”. She says: “I fly aeroplanes, scuba dive, jump off cliffs, paraglide; I’m a blogger and a mother – as well as running my wedding planning business. A lot of people call me superwoman.”